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ESP

Description

With set-neck construction and a flamed maple top over mahogany, EC-256FM electric guitar sings with woody, resonant tone and aggressive output. Its slim U-shaped neck and 22 extra-jumbo frets make shredding a breeze. The EC-256FM comes loaded with dual ESP humbucking pickups that produce tight lows, rich mids and searing highs. A push-pull tone knob enables coil-splitting for single-coil tones, expanding your tonal palette.

Set-Neck Construction Provides Exceptional Sustain

The EC-256FM's set neck joins the body and neck for optimal tone transfer and sustain. Its solid mahogany construction resonates with woody warmth while the maple top adds articulation. The 24.75" scale length provides taut, balanced tension for chords and leads. A tune-o-matic bridge and die-cast tuners offer rock-solid intonation and tuning stability.

Dual ESP Humbuckers Deliver Versatile Tone

The EC-256FM wields a pair of ESP Designed LH-150 humbucking pickups that produce tight lows, rich mids and blistering highs. Roll back the tone for a warmer, vintage-inspired sound or crank it for modern grit. A 3-way toggle lets you access neck, bridge or both pickups. The push-pull tone knob enables coil-splitting to tap bright single-coil tones from the humbuckers—ideal for genres from rock and metal to blues and country.

Fast, Low-Profile Neck Built for Speed

The EC-256FM's slim U-shaped neck and flat 12" radius rosewood fingerboard facilitate fast, effortless playing. Its profile is slightly thinner than a typical Les Paul for maximum comfort. The 22 extra-jumbo frets extend well into the cutaway for uninhibited access to the upper registers. Whether you prefer chunky barre chords, intricate solos or both, the EC-256FM neck is built for speed.

A High-Performance Electric at an Affordable Price

With premium features like set-neck construction, coil-splitting humbuckers and a flamed maple top, the EC-256FM outperforms its price point. This sleek rocker has the tone and playability of a high-end custom shop guitar at a working musician's budget. The EC-256FM brings you the quality and dependability of ESP at an incredible value.

Open Box ESP LTD EC-256FM Electric Guitar Level 1 See-Thru Black
Open Box ESP LTD EC-256FM Electric Guitar Level 1 See-Thru Black
Open Box ESP LTD EC-256FM Electric Guitar Level 1 See-Thru Black

Features

Body
  • Construction: Set-Neck
  • Scale: 24.75"
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Top: Flamed Maple
  • Finish: Gloss polyurethane
Neck
  • Neck Contour: Thin U
  • Wood: 3-piece mahogany
  • Fingerboard: Roasted Jatoba
  • Fingerboard Radius: 350 mm
  • Nut Width: 42 mm
  • Nut Type: Molded
  • Frets/Type: 22 XJ
Electronics
  • Neck Pickup: ESP Designed LH-150N
  • Bridge Pickup: ESP Designed LH-150B
  • Active/Passive: Passive
  • Layout: Volume/Volume/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch
Other
  • Hardware Color: Chrome
  • Strap Button: Standard
  • Tuners: LTD
  • Bridge: Tune-o-matic & tailpiece
  • Strings: D'Addario XL110 (.010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046)
  • Case: Not Included

Reviews

4.36

39 Reviews

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

I wouldn't purchase this guitar again
Amazing guitar
Great budget-friendly LP style guitar!
Great but...
Great but...
Great but...

Most Liked Positive Review

4

Loved it!

I went to guitar center to exchange my pedalboard and while i was waiting to get things sorted out, i went and picked this guy up. I've had my eyes on the eclipse-401 for a while, so I was curious to how it's little brother would be. This was one of my favorite necks i've played on, thick enough to not feel like a toy, but still felt like i could go as fast or wherever i wanted. It was just one of those where once you touch it, it just fits. I was able to get some amazing cleans, especially with the coil tap. I was really impressed with how well it handled distortion and was able to comfortably handle a few slayer and killswitch riffs. Overall i loved how this guitar handled and had to double check the price, it is a beautiful instrument and incredibly versatile; probably the best bang for the buck i've found so far.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Great but...

I really enjoy ESP guitars so when this one came on sale I snagged it! I changed the pickups to a set of Emg Het sets! Love the sound! But there are scratches and finishing flaws all over the body like someone grabbed it wile it was drying

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing25
  2. Jamming23
  3. Recording14
  4. Small Venues12
  5. School Bands7
Cons
  1. Fret Buzz3
  2. Craftsmanship1
  3. None1
  4. Poor Pick Up1
  5. Cheap Plastic Nut1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced22
  2. Novice8
  3. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Good Feel27
  2. Fun To Play25
  3. Good Tone22
  4. Good Pick Up19
  5. Solid Electronics17

Reviewed by 39 customers

  • Color nothing like depicted.

    1

    submitted6 months ago

    byJoel

    fromHuntington, WV

    It is not black like depicted. It's a mid gray color. Other than that, I like it. It's just the picture that's deceptive. And I've had it for years now with no issues, so it's a shame they never changed this picture, even after I called and brought it up when I bought it.

  • Great guitar!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byAvrum

    fromNew York city

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Great guitar!

  • I wouldn't purchase this guitar again

    2

    submitted2 years ago

    byJared

    fromTroy, Montana

    The guitar has decent tone but doesn't stay in tune for more than a minute. Completely disappointing.

  • Amazing guitar

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byAdison

    fromRichmond Virginia

    Got this as my first electric about 8 months ago and have loved every single note I've played on. It's able to jam out clean tones but can handle turning up the distortion. Definitely worth the price.

  • Worth more than I paid for it.

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byAidan

    fromOklahoma City, Ok

    All around great guitar can't find anything wrong with it and the coil split is amazing

  • Excellent guitar!

    4

    Verified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byMike G.

    fromBoyertown, PA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Excellent guitar. Only wish GC would perform a pre-sale check on the guitars. The outside of the manufacture box was damaged(not the shipping) box, which had my heart drop; but, all was good.

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked byCG

    fromKirkland, WA

    How does this model differ from this model? https://www.guitarcenter.com/ESP/LTD-EC-256-Electric-Guitar-Black-1401720419608.gc

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The main difference between an LTD EC-256 and an LTD EC-256FM is that the "FM" model features a flamed maple top on its body, while the standard EC-256 has a plain mahogany body, meaning the FM version has a visually distinct, more aesthetically appealing top with a wood grain pattern; otherwise, both guitars share the same basic design, construction, and electronics.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byJames

    fromWagoner ok

    Is this guitar a round top?

    Open Reply - Gear-Adviser
    It's a flat top.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked bybobf150

    fromlas vegas, nv

    i have smaller hands looking for a narrow thin neck. is this it?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    The rosewood fretboard has 22 XJ frets accross a 24.75" scale length and is designed for speed and comfort.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byBurdie

    fromWisconsin

    Is this a factory "2nd" with blemishes? If so, what are the blemishes?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar is not a factory 2nd or a blemished model.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byWill

    fromPennsylvania

    Case included?

    Open Reply - Durran
    This does not include the case, the EC GUITAR FORM FIT CASE

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byglenn

    fromhartsville, TN

    the picture shows binding on the body, neck & head-stock. someone answered saying the manufacture's website says no. please confirm yes or no?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Yes, this has neck and body binding

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byDrifter

    fromAmarillo Tx

    Does anybody know the weight of the guitar?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar weighs approximately 10 lbs.
    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar weighs approximately 10 lbs.

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byBill

    fromMorristown, New Jersey

    What's the neck radius?

    Open Reply - Charles
    ESP lists this at 350 mm (13.78 in.)

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byJT

    fromUT

    What color options are there for this Guitar?

    Open Reply - Gear-Head
    We have See-Thru Black, See-Thru Black Cherry Sunburst, and Lemon Drop available.

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byEnrich

    fromundisclosed

    Would I be able to install EMG JH James Hetfield Humbucker Set on this guitar?

    Open Reply - Beau
    Yes, you would be able to install EMG James Hetfield pickups on this guitar.
    Open Reply - Beau
    Yes, you would be able to install EMG James Hetfield pickups on this guitar.
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